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2007 may be a slow year for Australian cinema, but it's also a strong one. Clubland appears on our screens after the almost perfect Noise and solid yet pedestrian Romulus, My Father, and outdoes both in its great mix of drama and bawdy humour.
The film that did so well at Sundance has great audience potential insofar as the young romance might attract teen and upwards viewers whilst Brenda Blethyn is likely to rope in older, more discerning viewers. Jean (Blethyn) is a has-been stand up comedian.
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Clubland's title has been changed to Introducing the Dwights for the US release, but neither is really worthy of the film. Directed superbly by Cherie Nowlan, who years ago introduced us to Cate Blanchett in Thank God He Met Lizzie, this is a strong yet simple film that can boast some brilliant performances from veterans like Frankie J. Holden, Phillip Quast and Blethyn as well as newcomers Chittenden and Booth.
